SpaceX is preparing for the seventh test flight of its Starship rocket, setting the stage for a year of groundbreaking advancements in space exploration.
This flight will showcase significant upgrades to the rocket and test a variety of new technologies aimed at improving performance, reliability, and reusability. SpaceX outlined the major upgrades for Flight 7 of Starship today.
The latest version of Starship features several enhancements. Its forward flaps have been reduced in size and repositioned to limit exposure to heat during reentry, simplifying their design and reducing risks.
The propulsion system has also been improved, with a 25% increase in fuel capacity, upgraded engine feedlines, and enhanced avionics to better manage the rocket’s performance.
A new heat shield design, complete with backup layers, will protect the ship during reentry, while alternative materials, such as actively cooled metallic tiles, will be tested to find even better solutions for future flights.
A redesigned avionics system has been added, including a powerful new flight computer and integrated antennas for real-time communication and high-definition video streaming. With over 30 onboard cameras, engineers will gain valuable insights into the rocket’s performance throughout the mission.
These upgrades make Starship more capable of handling increasingly complex tasks, including future missions to the Moon and Mars.
This test will also mark the first time Starship attempts a payload deployment, releasing 10 Starlink satellite simulators on a suborbital path with a planned splashdown in the Indian Ocean. This is the “Pez” dispenser that we’ve all seen in rendered videos.
The mission will include a relight of a single Raptor engine in space to gather data for future orbital operations.
The Super Heavy booster, which will launch and return to Earth, includes hardware improvements aimed at advancing SpaceX’s goal of complete rocket reuse.
For the first time, the booster will reuse a Raptor engine from a previous test. It will attempt a controlled return, potentially being caught by the tower’s “chopstick” arms. If conditions aren’t ideal, the booster will safely splash down in the Gulf of Mexico. SpaceX says safety remains a top priority, with stringent checks ensuring public and team safety.
During reentry, Starship will undergo stress tests to evaluate its design and materials under extreme conditions. Sonic booms from the booster’s return may be heard in the surrounding area, creating a brief thunder-like sound.
The seventh Starship flight test is pegged for January 10, 2025. Excitement guaranteed, indeed.
Check out a recap video of Starship’s sixth flight test below:
Starship’s sixth flight test aimed to push the vehicle to its limits as we iterate towards a rapidly reusable rocket.
Up next: a new ship, new year, and new limits. Excitement still guaranteed → https://t.co/QNCSPTewLA pic.twitter.com/JjhBq8RyYp
— SpaceX (@SpaceX) January 3, 2025
